Adaptive enclosure system and method

ABSTRACT

An adaptive enclosure system may include an enclosure, a track, a platform assembly, and an actuator. The enclosure may include sidewalls and be configured to be mounted relative to a support structure. The track may be positioned in a lengthwise direction along the enclosure. The platform assembly may include a rail and first and second platforms on the rail. The platform assembly may be configured to be movable in the lengthwise direction relative to the enclosure. The actuator may be configured to move the platform assembly relative to the enclosure.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application that is based on and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/174,578 filed Apr. 14, 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the present disclosure, e.g., an adaptive enclosure system in a retracted configuration;

FIG. 2 illustrates another perspective view of the present disclosure, e.g., an adaptive enclosure system in an extended configuration;

FIG. 3 illustrates a top perspective view of an embodiment of the present disclosure, e.g., an actuator assembly in a retracted configuration;

FIG. 4 illustrates a cutaway perspective view of an embodiment of the present disclosure, e.g., an actuator assembly in an extended configuration and including an actuator and a track;

FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom perspective view of an embodiment of the present disclosure, e.g., a platform assembly in a retracted configuration;

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of the present disclosure, e.g., a platform assembly in an extended configuration and including a plurality of platforms and a central rail;

FIG. 7 illustrates a bottom perspective view of an embodiment of the present disclosure, e.g., a platform assembly in an extended configuration and including a platform, a rail, and a track;

FIG. 8 illustrates a bottom perspective view of embodiment of the present disclosure, e.g., including a rail and a plurality of platforms;

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the present disclosure, e.g., an adaptive enclosure system in an extended configuration and including an enclosure, a multi-walled platform, and a wall-integrated rail;

FIG. 10 illustrates another perspective view of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 illustrates an embodiment of the present disclosure, e.g., an actuator assembly in a retracted configuration and including an actuator, an actuator plate, and a power supply;

FIG. 12 illustrates another perspective view of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 illustrates an embodiment of the present disclosure, e.g., a cylindrical or unitary-walled enclosure assembly and/or platform assembly;

FIG. 14 illustrates an embodiment of the present disclosure, e.g., a platform assembly including a plurality of circular or rounded platforms and a central rail;

FIG. 15 illustrates an embodiment of the present disclosure, e.g., a polygonal, multi-walled platform assembly and/or enclosure assembly; and

FIG. 16 illustrates an embodiment of the present disclosure, e.g., a multi-walled platform assembly and/or enclosure assembly with upper and lower illumination surfaces.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An exemplary adaptive enclosure system may include an enclosure, a track, a platform assembly, and an actuator. The enclosure may include sidewalls (e.g., vertical sidewalls) and may be configured to be mounted relative to a support structure. The track may be positioned in a lengthwise direction (e.g., vertical direction) along at least one of the sidewalls. The platform assembly may include a rail and first and second platforms on the rail. The platform assembly may be configured to be movable in the lengthwise direction relative to the enclosure. The actuator may be configured to move the platform assembly in the lengthwise direction relative to the enclosure.

The actuator assembly may include at least one linear actuator. At least one of the platform assembly and the actuator assembly may include one or more of a ball joint bearing, wench, sliding track, and rollers. The actuator may be in communication with a mobile device to control the movement of the platform assembly. The track may include at least one of a linear, circular, spiral, and/or round track. The enclosure may include at least one of a round structure and a polygonal structure. The polygonal structure may be triangular, rectangular, square, diamond-shaped, pyramidal, or a combination thereof.

Embodiments may be configured as a selectively hidden safe or compartment. The system may include an enclosure and a platform forming a compartment configured to be flush with the ceiling above, mounted to the rafters and have a masked surface (e.g., light or surface matched) on the bottom to help conceal its presence. The system may include a controller (e.g., e.g., wired, remote or mobile device) to power the actuator and move the actuator along a track mounted to a platform. The platform may be configured as shelving. The platform may be hidden in a retracted configuration and exposed in an extended configuration. The platform may be configured extract from the ceiling and descend downwards for easy access to any contents therein. The controller may be in communication with the actuator to retract the platform back into the ceiling for a more efficient way of storing all while minimizing the space a normal safe would occupy.

The system may include an enclosure assembly made of metal, e.g., a stainless-steel structure. The system may include a platform forming a compartment with the enclosure assembly. The system may include an actuator (e.g., linear actuator), a track, a controller, and a transceiver. The system may be arranged such that the actuator is configured to be remotely controlled and move the platform along the track to extend and retract the platform relative to the enclosure assembly.

Embodiments may include a variety of advantages. The system may be configured to modernize the functionality of a storage unit while minimizing the amount of space it occupies and allowing a much more discreet way of keeping its contents hidden. The advantages include keeping contents (e.g., valuables and/or possessions) out of reach from possible intruders or children. The system may be utilized as a storage unit to store and secure any contents.

A method for an adaptive enclosure system may include providing an enclosure, a track, a platform assembly, and an actuator. The method may include the enclosure having vertical sidewalls, mounting the enclosure relative to a support structure (e.g., ceiling or ground), and moving the platform assembly in the lengthwise direction relative to the enclosure.

FIGS. 1-16 illustrate an exemplary system 100, for example, configured for providing an enclosure with an adaptive platform. System 100 may take many different forms and include multiple and/or alternate components, structures, and arrangements. While an exemplary system 100 is shown, the exemplary components are not intended to be limiting, and additional or alternative components and/or implementations may be used.

As shown in FIGS. 1-16, system 100 may include any or all of enclosure or enclosure assembly 102, enclosure sidewalls 103, support structure 104 (e.g., ceiling and/or ground), actuator assembly 105, drive actuator 106, drive controller 107, drive bracket 108, fasteners 109, enclosure brackets 110, platform assembly 111, platform rail 112, middle platform 114, and lower platform 116. Enclosure 102 may include enclosure sidewalls 103 (e.g., vertical sidewalls) and may be configured to be mounted relative to structure 104.

Referring again to FIG. 2, system 100 may include platform assembly 111. The platform assembly 111 may include platform sidewalls 115 (e.g., FIG. 8), platform sidewalls 117 a, 117 b, 117 c (e.g., FIG. 9), or a combination thereof. Platform assembly 111 may include actuator brackets 118 a,118 b, track 120 (e.g., having upper and lower track mounts), illumination passage 122 (e.g., light passage), base platform 124, platform emitters 128 (e.g., light sources), or a combination thereof.

Actuator 106 may be secured relative to platform assembly 111. Actuator 106 may be configured to move platform assembly 111, enclosure 102, and/or structure 104 relative to each other. Actuator 106 may be configured to adapt or transform system 100 between a retracted configuration (e.g., FIG. 1) and an extended configuration (e.g., FIG. 2).

FIGS. 3-4 and 11-12 illustrate closer views of actuator assembly 105. System 100 may include actuator 106 and controller 107 communicatively connected to each other. Actuator 106 by way of controller 106 may move system 100 between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration. Controller 107 may be configured to control movement of actuator 106, e.g., speed, force, and/or direction.

Assembly 105 may include actuator 106, bracket 108, brackets 118 a, 118 b, fasteners 109, and/or track 120. Actuator 106 may be secured to enclosure 103, track 120, or a combination thereof. Actuator 106 may be operatively connected to enclosure 103, platform assembly 111, or a combination thereof. The track 120 may be secured relative to sidewalls 103 and may be positioned in a lengthwise direction along enclosure 102.

Referring again to FIGS. 5-6, system 100 may include platform assembly 111. Platform assembly 111 may include platform 116, passage 112, emitters 128, or a combination thereof. Platform assembly 111 may be configured to move relative to enclosure 102 from a retracted configuration (e.g., FIG. 5) to an extended configuration (e.g., FIG. 6).

With reference to FIGS. 7-8, system 100 may include enclosure assembly 102 (e.g., FIG. 7) and/or platform assembly 109 (e.g., FIG. 8). Platform 124 may be secured to enclosure 103 and/or rail 112. Platforms 114, 116 may be secured relative to rail 112. Platform assembly 111 may include rail 112 and platforms 114, 116.

Platform assembly 111 may be configured to be movable in the lengthwise direction from a retracted configuration (e.g., FIGS. 1, 3, and 5) to an extended configuration (e.g., FIGS. 2, 4, and 6-10) relative to the enclosure 102. Actuator 106 may be configured to move the platform assembly 111 in the lengthwise direction relative to the enclosure 102.

FIGS. 9-10 illustrate system 100 with platform assembly 111 in an extended configuration. Platform assembly 100 may include platforms 114, 116 including multi-walled platforms. Platform assembly 111 may include rail 112 integrated into sidewalls 115, sidewalls 117, or a combination thereof.

FIGS. 13 and 15 illustrate embodiments of enclosure assembly 102. Enclosure assembly 102 may include a cylindrical or unitary-walled enclosure 103, platform 126, platform 114, and/or platform 116. Enclosure assembly 102 may include a polygonal, multi-walled enclosure 103, platform 124, platform 114, and/or platform 116.

FIGS. 14 and 16 illustrate embodiments of platform assembly 111. System 100 may include central rail 112 and a plurality of circular or rounded platforms 124, 114, and/or 116. System 100 may include platform assembly 111 having multi-walled platforms 124, 114, and/or 116. Platform assembly 111 may include upper and lower platform emitters 128.

An adaptive enclosure system 100 may include an enclosure assembly 102, an actuator assembly 105, and a platform assembly 111. Enclosure assembly 102 may include enclosure 103. Enclosure 103 may include enclosure sidewalls 113. Enclosure 103 may be configured to be mounted relative to support structure 104. Track 120 may be positioned in a lengthwise direction along one of the enclosure sidewalls 103.

Platform assembly 111 may include sidewalls 115 and/or 117. Platform assembly 111 may include rail and first and second platforms on the rail 112. Platform assembly 111 may be configured to be movable in the lengthwise direction relative to the enclosure assembly 102.

Actuator assembly 105 may be configured to move the platform assembly in the lengthwise direction relative to the enclosure. Actuator assembly 105 may have actuator 106 including at least one linear actuator. At least one of the platform assembly 111 and the actuator assembly 105 may include one or more of a ball joint bearing, wench, sliding track, and rollers.

The actuator assembly 105 may be in communication with a controller (e.g., wired, remote or mobile device) to control the movement of the platform assembly 111. Track 112 may include at least one of a linear track, a circular track, and a round track. Enclosure assembly 102 may include at least one of a round structure and a polygonal structure. Enclosure assembly 102 may include at least one of a rectangular structure, a square structure, a diamond structure, and a triangle structure.

Methods may include providing the enclosure 102, rail 112, track 120, platform assembly 111, and actuator 106. The method may include mounting the enclosure assembly 102 relative to support structure 104. The method may include moving the platform assembly 111 in the lengthwise direction relative to the enclosure assembly 102.

Any portion of the systems, apparatuses, methods, and processes herein may occur in any order or sequence. Certain components or steps may occur simultaneously, others may be added, and/or others may be omitted. This disclosure is provided for the purpose of illustrating certain embodiments and should in no way be construed so as to limit the claims.

Accordingly, it is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many embodiments and applications other than the examples provided would be apparent upon reading the above description. The scope should be determined, not with reference to the above description, but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is anticipated and intended that future developments will occur in the technologies discussed herein, and that the disclosed systems and methods will be incorporated into such future embodiments. The embodiments of this disclosure are capable of modification and variation.

All terms used in the claims are intended to be given their broadest reasonable constructions and their ordinary meanings as understood by those knowledgeable in the technologies described herein unless an explicit indication to the contrary is made herein. Use of the singular articles such as “a,” “the,” “said,” etc. should be read to recite one or more of the indicated elements unless a claim recites an explicit limitation to the contrary.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader to ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure, but it should not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. Various features of this disclosure may be grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure, but the claimed embodiments shall not be interpreted as requiring more features than are expressly recited in each claim. The inventive subject matter of the claims lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An adaptive enclosure system: an enclosure having enclosure sidewalls and configured to be mounted relative to a ceiling structure; a track positioned in a lengthwise direction along one of the enclosure sidewalls; a platform assembly including a rail and first and second platforms on the rail, the platform assembly configured to be movable in the lengthwise direction relative to the enclosure; and an actuator configured to move the platform assembly in the lengthwise direction relative to the enclosure.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the actuator assembly includes at least one of a linear actuator.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the platform assembly and the actuator include one or more of a ball joint bearing, wench, sliding track, and rollers.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the actuator is in communication with a mobile device to control the movement of the platform assembly.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the track includes at least one of a linear track, a circular track, and a round track.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the enclosure includes at least one of a round structure and a polygonal structure.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the enclosure includes at least one of a rectangular structure, a square structure, a diamond structure, and a triangle structure.
 8. A method for an adaptive enclosure system, the method comprising: providing an enclosure, a track, a platform assembly, and an actuator, wherein the enclosure has enclosure sidewalls, the track is positioned in a lengthwise direction along one of the enclosure sidewalls, the platform assembly configured to be movable in the lengthwise direction relative to the enclosure, and the actuator is configured to move the platform assembly in the lengthwise direction relative to the enclosure; mounting the enclosure relative to a ceiling structure; and moving the platform assembly in the lengthwise direction relative to the enclosure.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the actuator assembly includes at least one of a linear actuator.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein at least one of the platform assembly and the actuator include one or more of a ball joint bearing, wench, sliding track, and rollers.
 11. The method of claim 8, wherein the actuator is in communication with a mobile device to control the movement of the platform assembly.
 12. The method of claim 8, wherein the track includes at least one of a linear track, a circular track, and a round track.
 13. The method of claim 8, wherein the enclosure includes at least one of a round structure and a polygonal structure.
 14. The method of claim 8, wherein the enclosure includes at least one of a rectangular structure, a square structure, a diamond structure, and a triangle structure.
 15. An adaptive enclosure system: an enclosure having sidewalls and configured to be mounted relative to a support structure; a track positioned in a lengthwise direction along the enclosure; a platform assembly including a rail and first and second platforms on the rail, the platform assembly configured to be movable in the lengthwise direction relative to the enclosure; and an actuator configured to move the platform assembly relative to the enclosure.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the actuator assembly includes at least one of a linear actuator.
 17. The system of claim 15, wherein at least one of the platform assembly and the actuator include one or more of a ball joint bearing, wench, sliding track, and rollers.
 18. The system of claim 15, wherein the actuator is in communication with a mobile device to control the movement of the platform assembly.
 19. The system of claim 15, wherein the track includes at least one of a linear track, a circular track, and a round track.
 20. The system of claim 15, wherein the enclosure includes at least one of a round structure and a polygonal structure. 